Puck cups

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an improved container assembly where a container or vessel with nodules is inserted into a non-slip base, such as a hockey puck, with a recess having channels to create a locking system of a container into a hockey puck made from vulcanized rubber to create a non-slip reaction when placed on a hard surface. Further, the container assembly acts as a coaster to prevent staining and the inherent weight and width of the non-slip base creates optimal stability to said container or vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No 63/074,871, filed on Sep. 4, 2020, entitled “Puck Cups,”the entire invention of which is incorporated by reference herein.

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to containers, more specifically,containers for holding liquids.

2. Description of Related Art

A container or vessel specifically designed to hold liquids is commonlyused to drink certain beverages. Existing containers made for drinkingliquids or drinkware are vessels made from various fluid imperviousmaterials. A hockey puck, or a flat ball, is a disk, usually made fromvulcanized rubber, typically used in ice hockey, and known for its highfriction rubber surface.

Components of a typical standard container for holding liquids are: anouter wall; an inner wall; a base; wherein the walls and the base createa volume for the container to hold.

Existing containers or vessels for drinking purposes are commonly usedfor serving and drinking many varieties of liquids. Certain styles ofvessels for drinking liquids include a pilsner glass or a pint glass.Certain styles enhance or affect a particular type of liquid'stemperature, appearance, or aroma. Many containers are made from a glassor plastic material, usually to include some practicalities includingnon-breakage, washing, stacking, or storage. The base of most containerstypically consists of the same material as the inner and outer walls,thus creating a uniform shape and uniform material. Consequently, theseexisting vessels are typically made out of one uniform material.Existing vessels are usually placed on a support surface, like, but notlimited to a countertop or table. However, by placing a vessel on asurface, a slippery reaction may occur between the base of the containerand the surface it was placed upon. This slippery, wet, or greasyreaction can be created by a variety of means, but usually is from thesurface already having a substance on it causing the surface to be dampor wet or from the condensation created by the liquid inside of thevessel that drips down to the base. This slippery reaction can causecontainers to fall off the surface they are placed upon or slide in anunwanted direction or manner.

Furthermore, the slippery reaction created underneath the base of anexisting container can leave stains on the surface that the container isplaced upon. For example, a glass container on a wooden surface canleave a container-shaped stain due to the condensation from thecontainer flowing to the base of the glass or from the base or surfacebeing wet or damp.

Additionally, existing containers can lack stability due to the commondesign of tapering the base of the glass. The lack of stability thus cancause the vessel to tip over and spill the contents of the container.

A hockey puck is usually made from vulcanized rubber and is typicallyblack; to be used in ice hockey. A standard hockey puck is 1 inch thick,3 inches in diameter, and weighs between 5.5 and 6 ounces. Pucks aretypically made up of a mix of natural rubber, antioxidants, and bondingmaterials. The vulcanization process to create the vulcanized rubberused to make the puck is a chemical treatment process that involves theapplication of chemicals, mainly sulfur. The vulcanization processchanges some of the physical properties of the rubber by forcing therubber to retract. Thus, the rubber hardens and becomes less vulnerableto deformation.

Rubber resists sliding or slipping due to the creation of a high levelof friction between the rubber and the surface that the rubber is placedupon. The rubber material is a common selection when grip and stabilityis wanted between an object and a surface because there is a high levelof friction created. For example, rubber hockey pucks also possess thissimilar high level of friction between the bottom of the puck and asupporting surface.

Other slip resistant materials include polymers such as plastic, rubber,and neoprene.

In light of these challenges in the field, there is a need for animproved container specifically designed for holding liquids that willnot fall off the surface they are placed upon or slide in an unwanteddirection or manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies of theprior art by providing an improved container assembly with a non-slipbase.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a container assemblycomprises: an assembled combination of container and a non-slip base,wherein the container is designed to hold a liquid, such as water,juice, carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, teas, energy drinks,etc., and the puck creates a non-slip reaction to a surface.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a container assemblycomprises an assembled combination of container and a non-slip base,wherein the non-slip base comprises a recess using a locking mechanismand channel to securely attach to a cup, glassware, vessel, or generalcontainer for holding liquids.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a container assemblycomprises an assembled combination of container and non-slip base,wherein a container comprises a bump, nodule, node, or knob which locksin a channel inside of a recess of a puck to securely hold a containerand act as a stable base.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following, more particulardescription of the preferred embodiments of the present invention andthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objectsand advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuingdescriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings brieflydescribed as follows.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a container assembly constructedand arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional side perspective of a containerwith a plurality of nodules in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective of a container with a recess andchannel with a plurality of nodules in accordance with the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional side perspective of a containerwith a plurality of nodules in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a isometric top perspective of a non-slip base with arecess and channel with a locking mechanism in accordance with theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A illustrates a side perspective of a non-slip base in accordancewith the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional side perspective of a non-slipbase with a recess and channel with a locking mechanism in accordancewith the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional bottom perspective of a non-slipbase with a recess and channel with a locking mechanism in accordancewith the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3D is a bottom perspective of a non-slip base in accordance withthe embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages maybe understood by referring to FIGS. 1-3, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like elements. Although the invention is described in thecontext of a container or vessel, the present invention is applicable toany type of container to hold liquids or like device.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A in relevant part, a container assembly100 includes a container 100 with a continuous sidewall 102 having anouter surface 102 a, an inner surface 102 b, an upper edge 102 c, and alower edge 102 d, and a non-slip base 107 with a plurality of channels108. A horizontal bottom 103 is affixed to the lower edge 102 d. Ahorizontal bottom 103 cooperates with the inner surface 102 b of thecontinuous sidewall 102 to hold a volume 106. An upper edge 102 cencircles an opening 104 to hold the volume 106. The volume 106 is forreceiving contents, a chosen liquid, placed therein through the opening104. The plurality of channels 108 cooperates with a plurality ofnodules 205 located on the outer surface 102 a. The container 101 isinserted into the centrally located recess 109 located in the non-slipbase 107 where the plurality of nodules 105 fit into the correspondingplurality of channels 108 to lock the container 101 and the non-slipbase 107 together.

Container 101 is formed from a fluid impervious material or combinationof materials to hold liquids. Accordingly, in an embodiment, a container101 is formed of glass, an inherently fluid impervious material, and canbe formed of other inherently fluid impervious materials or combinationof materials in alternate embodiments, such as plastic, metal, wood, orother chosen fluid impervious materials or combination of fluidimpervious materials whether transparent or opaque.

In an embodiment of container 101 chosen for the purposes ofillustration and reference, continuous sidewall 102 is cylindricallytapered from an upper edge 102 c to a lower edge 102 d, in whichcontainer assembly 100 is conical in shape, being shaped as an invertedtruncated cone that tapers in diameter over its height from the upperedge 102 c to a horizontal bottom 103. Container 101 can beapproximately 5.75 inches tall, tapers by approximately one inch inouter diameter over its height from its maximum outer diameter ofapproximately 3.5 inches at an upper edge 102 c to a horizontal bottom103, weighs approximately 15.5 ounces, and volume 106 is sized to holdapproximately sixteen ounces of a chosen liquid.

Container 101 is generally representative of a standard American pintglass sized to hold approximately sixteen ounces of a chosen beverageand is presented as an example of a container useful in containerassembly. A person having ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate that container 101 of container assembly 100 can vary insize, in shape, and in fluid-impervious materials without departing fromthe present invention.

Non-slip base 107 is formed of ridge material with slip resistantproperties, such as vulcanized rubber or plastic. In an embodiment ofnon-slip base 107 chosen for the purpose of illustration and reference,non-slip base 107 is disk-shaped.

In FIGS. 2 and 2A, container 201 can be shown with a plurality ofnodules 205 placed at specific positions corresponding to the pluralityof channels 108 and protruding from the outer surface 202 a near thehorizontal bottom 203 of the container 201. The plurality of nodules 205may be formed in the shape of a rounded protrusion such as a knob, bump,or jut can be made of the same fluid impervious material as thecontainer, other fluid impervious material, or even any material tocreate a raised surface.

In FIG. 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, non-slip base 307 can be a standardhockey puck used in the sport of ice hockey, comprising a centrallylocated recess 309201 . Accordingly, non-slip base 307 can be a polymerdisk, such as hardened vulcanized rubber, including an outer sidewall310 and an inner sidewall 311 extending between opposed parallel upperand lower surfaces 311 and 312, and an inner base surface 314. Further,the centrally located recess 309 comprises an inner sidewall 311, wherethe plurality of channels 308 are located on the inner sidewall 311corresponding in location to the plurality of nodules 205 on thecontainer 201. The plurality of channels 308 comprise a circular end308a to create a locking system, where the polarity of nodules 205 slidein the plurality of channels 308 to create a locking system between thecontainer 201 and the non-slip base 307. In an embodiment, there can bethree or more plurality of channels 308 and plurality of nodules on thecontainer assembly 100. The centrally located recess 314 does not extendthe full length of the distance between the upper surface 312 and thelower surface 313. In the embodiment where the non-slip base is astandard hockey puck of hard vulcanized rubber, non-slip base 307 istypically black, but is not limited to only being of black color.Non-slip base 307 can be one inch thick from upper surface 312 to lowersurface 313, and three inches in diameter along a straight line thatpasses through the center of the non-slip base 307, where endpoints lieon the inherent circle defined by the outer sidewall 310. As with astandard hockey puck, in and embodiment of the non-slip base 307, thenon-slip base 307 is between 5.5 and 6 ounces in weight, although it canbe customarily heavier or lighter than the standard weight to support acontainer 201 to improve stability.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, container assembly 100 is useful forholding and consuming a liquid or beverage. In use, a chosen liquid orbeverage is placed into a volume 106. To consume the beverage, containerassembly 100 is taken up by hand, such as gripping outer surface 102 aof container 101, lifted upright to the user's mouth, and tipped forenabling the chosen beverage to spill into the user's mouth.Alternatively, a straw can be used.

In FIG. 1, non-slip base 101 serves as a stabilizer to the container 101positionable against a horizontal support surface such as a table forsupporting a container 101 upright, such as for storage during periodsof non-use and when a user simply sets container assembly 100 downbetween sips of a chosen beverage applied to volume 106 or afterfinishing the chosen beverage. It is particularly advantageous thatcontainer 101 is affixed to non-slip base 107 because of the inherentweight and size of the non-slip base, and the material from which puck30 is constructed, which creates a non-slip reaction and eliminatespotential stains from water, wetness, or condensation on the surface thecontainer assembly 100 is placed.

The inherent weight and dimensions of the non-slip base 107advantageously serves as an inherent stabilizing force for containerassembly 100 when container assembly 100 is set down on a surface. In anembodiment, the inherent weight of the non-slip base 107, beingapproximately 30-40% of the inherent weight of the container 101,coupled with the non-slip base 107 inherent size, especially thediameter of the non-slip base 107 being approximately 85% of the maximumouter diameter of container 101 of approximately 3.5 inches at upperedge 102 c, work in concert to advantageously stabilize container 101when it is set down in direct contact on a surface and prevent containerassembly 100 from inadvertently being easily tipped over.

Further, due to the high friction characteristic of the material fromwhich non-slip base 107 is made from, the non-slip base 107 resistsslipping across surfaces such as, but not limited to wood, metal, glass,plastic, and other surfaces commonly used support surfaces forcountertops, tables, coffee tables, cabinets, and other fixtures wherebeverage containers are customarily set upon. Therefore, when containerassembly 100 is set down in direct contact against a surface, theinherent non-slip material characteristics of non-slip base 107 enablelower surface 313, as shown in FIG. 3, of non-slip base 107 to resistslipping across surfaces of wood, metal, glass, plastic, and othersurfaces commonly used support surfaces for countertops, tables, coffeetables, cabinets, and other fixtures where liquid containers arecustomarily set upon.

Furthermore, the non-slip base 107 integrated with container 101 incontainer assembly 100 acts as an integrated coaster under container101to protect a table or other surface from moisture, which preventsstaining. The integration of non-slip base 107 with container 101 incontainer assembly 100 defines a “coastered” container 101, in whichnon-slop base 107 integrated under container 101 eliminates the need forhaving to find or use a separate coaster and to eliminate the problem ofstaining a surface in accordance with the principle of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Moreover, the described features, structures, or characteristics of theinvention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and variations can be made to the presentinvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modificationsand variations of this invention provided they come within the scope ofthe appended claims and their equivalents. Reference will now be made indetail to the preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments forthe purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the inventioncan be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not beregarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments andclaims.

1. A container assembly comprising: a continuous sidewall comprising: anouter surface; an inner surface; an upper edge; and a lower edge; ahorizontal bottom affixed to the lower edge; an opening affixed to theupper edge; a plurality of nodules protruding from the outer surface ofthe continuous sidewall; a non-slip base comprising: an outer surface;an inner surface; an upper surface; a lower surface; an inner basesurface; and a centrally located recess, wherein the centrally locatedrecess accepts the horizontal bottom affixed to the lower edge of thecontinuous sidewall.
 2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein thehorizontal bottom cooperates with the inner surface of the continuoussidewall to hold a volume.
 3. The container assembly of claim 1, whereinan upper edge encircles an opening to hold a volume.
 4. The containerassembly of claim 1, wherein the non-slip base is formed from a polymer.5. The container assembly of claim 4, wherein the polymer is vulcanizedrubber.
 6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the centrallylocated recess comprises a plurality of channels.
 7. The containerassembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of channels comprise acircular end.
 8. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein theplurality of channels comprise an open end on the upper surface.
 9. Thecontainer assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of channels arecapable of receiving the plurality of nodules.
 10. The containerassembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of nodules lock into thecircular ends of the plurality of channels.
 11. The container assemblyof claim 10, wherein the plurality of nodules and the plurality ofchannels when locked together allow the user to move the container withthe non-slip base affixed.
 12. The container assembly of claim 1,wherein the continuous side wall is formed from a fluid imperviousmaterial.
 13. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-slipbase catches liquid from the container.
 14. The container assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the non-slip base has a diameter equal to or longerthan the diameter of the container.
 15. A method for creating a non-slipvessel comprising: inserting a vessel comprising a plurality of nodulesinto a non-slip base; securing said vessel between the plurality ofchannels inside of the recess, wherein the plurality of channelscomprise a circular end; and locking the plurality of nodules into thecircular ends of the plurality of channels.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the non-slip base is formed from a polymer.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the polymer is a vulcanized rubber.
 18. A method forcreating a stain resistant vessel comprising: inserting a vesselcomprising a plurality of nodules into a non-slip base; securing saidvessel between the plurality of channels inside of the recess, whereinthe plurality of channels comprise a circular end; and locking theplurality of nodules into the circular ends of the plurality ofchannels.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-slip base isformed from vulcanized rubber.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein thenon-slip base catches liquid from the vessel.